[San Jacinto]

Schwinn

[SonOfDarkSkies]

What are you going to use the bike for (i.e. touring/cruising, put-putting around town)?

[americanophile]

Can you even buy these anymore, after the idiotic Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008?

[randomhero97]

I’m looking at getting a Honda Shadow. All the riders that I know say they are pretty much the best beginner bikes.

[conservativeharleyguy]

An 883 will be just fine for you. Are you tall, short, or in the middle? They have a “Hugger” model for shorties that will fit you better if you are 5’5” or less. Ignore the anti-harley crowd you’ll attract here and Have fun.

[al_c]

I'd ride on of those. Go for it.

[Zeddicus]

A sporty isn’t the worst beginner bike. It’s topheavy (meaning the front wheel feels like it wants to flop to one side), which will make handling and balance a bit more difficult for a new rider than some other bikes.

It has decent low-end torque but no real power, both of which are good traits for a new rider.

Will you not mind being seen on a Harley wearing a full-face helmet? IMO, it’s just nuts to not protect your face and brain.

Finally, don’t buy a brand-new one, and don’t finance it (cash for toys). Chances are pretty good you’ll drop it at least once.

[2001convSVT]

If you like the Cruiser style, I recommend the Suzuki C-50 or M-50. Both are reasonably priced, low maintenance, 45 -50 mpg and easy to handle.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Take the MSF rider’s course!

[HerrBlucher]

The 883 should be ok for a beginner, low seat height, not too heavy, enough power but not too much. They look and sound great too, my favorite of the Harley lineup. You really can’t go wrong with the sportster.

[martin_fierro]

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[dblshot]

If you are a beginner first thing to do is take an approved motorcycle riders safety course. Really. do it or don't get on a motorcycle. You'll get a feel for what you want and how a bike feels under you. Remember to keep it under you! You're going to get a lot of prejudiced advice from people who thing what they ride is the best ride bar none. what one person likes isn't necessarily what someone else likes and it also depends on what you want to do with the bike. Commute to work? Ride with a group? Sight see in the mountains and deserts? Now go take a Motorcycle Safety Course. A lot of colleges have them. If you can find one not sponsored by a dealer you won't have to put up with the sales hype.

[Disambiguator]

The “best bike” is like the “best gun.” It’s extremely subjective.

What fits you? What are you going to use it for? How much money do you want to spend?

I would check out the Suzuki V-Strom 650, and maybe the BMW 650s or 800s (but I live in the intermountain west, where 50% of the roads are unpaved).

[JaguarXKE]

I’ve been thinking of getting a bike again after a 30 year hiatus. I’ve been torn between a Sportster and the Triumph America (the new 09’s are fuel injected).

[Eagle Eye]

The 883 would be a good starter bike that you could keep for a long long time.

[SampleMan]

HD Sportster is Harley’s girl bike, so it should fit the bill. ;-)

[krogers58]

Get a nice dirt bike and learn to ride off-road, it will save your life once you start playing dodge a car on the road. A 250 level bike would be about perfect....nice and light, you’ll learn to ride in a non-threatening situation, assuming you don’t go out and get on some expert trails. You’ll have a blast learning, and if you buy your dirt bike right(cheap) you’ll be able to get all your money back, when you switch to a road bike. Good luck and wear a helmet at all times, no matter how “uncool” it seems to some bikers.....

[blackie]

The 883 Sportster will work fine for a beginner. I’ve owned three Harleys over the years, one of which was 1990 1200cc Sportster. I was a good bike, I rode it for ten years and sold it to a Sheriff in Nevada, he’s still riding it.

After I sold it I got the bug to ride again and deciding I wasn’t too old to continue to ride. in late 2000 I purchased an ‘01 Suzuki SV650, it’s the most fun street bike I’ve ever ridden. I’m still riding it, it’s my 22nd motorcycle, I’m 78 years old and still riding. I purchased my first bike (a Harley 45) when I was 19. ;)

Take the plunge, buy one, take the rider safety course and you’ll wonder why you waited so long to buy one. ;)

[bmwcyle]

Why not fly?

[Melas]

I’m a true Sportster aficionado. I’m on my 3rd Sporty, and having owned 2 big twins, I’ll never own anything but a Sportster.

That said, it’s not a good choice for a beginner. I really like to see beginners on small 250cc-450cc bikes for a at least a year. Earn your stripes then move up to a full-sized bike.